Why Is Our Faith Short-Lived? (Part 1)

             In a recent sermon, our minister recounted the story of Peter walking on the water.  Jesus had sent the Disciples on ahead in a boat, while He took time alone to pray.  In the middle of the night, He came walking on the water towards them.  They were all terrified, but Jesus identified Himself and assured them that there was nothing to fear.  Still, only Peter was able to muster the courage to get out of the boat.  As Jesus beckoned him to “come”, Peter also began to walk on water.  Unfortunately, his “miracle walk” was short-lived.  He took his eyes off Jesus and immediately began to sink.  Jesus reached out His hand to save him.  He also rebuked him with these words, “You of little faith,” he said, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14: 31NIV84).

            In other words, Jesus might have said it this way, “Why was your faith so short-lived?”  Peter had seen Jesus perform many miracles.  He experienced his own miracle by walking on top of the waves.  Yet, in such a short time his faith disappeared, and he began to doubt.

            That phrase stirred my conscience because I know that I am often just like Peter.  If we are honest, we probably all are.  I’ve seen the power of Jesus in my life.  You may have also seen that power.  Yet, there are times when we doubt.  I can almost hear Jesus asking, “Why is your faith so short-lived?” 

            Why do we have complete faith and trust in the Lord at one moment, and then, worry and doubt in the next?  Why do we spend so much time worrying over the difficulties and problems in our lives, when we have the assurance that God is in control?  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8: 28NIV84).  He can handle every problem that this life throws at us.  Yet, we doubt!  We worry!  Too often, our faith is short-lived!  Why?

            I believe there are three reasons that our faith is often filled with doubt.  Over my next three blogs, beginning today, I want to share my reasoning and, hopefully, provide each of us with some ideas of how we can increase our faith.  When life throws the big waves at me, I want to keep walking on the water, never doubting Jesus’ ability to sustain me. 

            First, I think that our relationship with God is often based on head knowledge rather than heart knowledge.  I know I’m guilty of that.  I can recount miracle after miracle that God has performed over the centuries.  Bringing the Israelites out of Egypt by parting the Red Sea, saving Daniel in the lions’ den, giving David the strength to kill the giant, Goliath, with a few small stones.  Those are just a few of the highlights of the Old Testament. 

            When we look at the New Testament, we see the power of God through the miracles of Jesus.  He made the lame walk, the blind to see, and the deaf to hear.  He raised people from the dead.  Walking on water was nothing compared to all that, but He didn’t stop there.  God raised Christ from the dead!  He was the ultimate sacrifice, once and for all, but God didn’t leave Him in that grave.  He raised Him back to life, and today, He sits at the right hand of God. 

            I know all those stories, and you may know many of them too.  However, that is what I call “head knowledge” or “book knowledge”.  We recount those stories much as we would the key moments in the history of our country.  They provide us with knowledge about God—who He is and what He has done.  Alone, they don’t develop the “heart knowledge” that we need.

            So, what is “heart knowledge?”  To me, “heart knowledge” is that intimate relationship with God that makes Him the focus of our lives.  It is a relationship of love, dependence, respect, trust, and awe.  It is the relationship between a parent and a child.  The key is that it is a “relationship.”  It’s not just stories.  It’s a personal walk with a God and Father who loves us and cares for us.  It is “heart knowledge” that we must build if we are going to successfully grow our faith.  It will require spending time with the only One who deserves our faith and trust.  It may not be a quick journey, but it will be well worth the effort.  I pray that each of us can increase our faith by increasing our “heart knowledge”.

Matthew 14: 22 – 33

Romans 8: 28

Hebrews 11: 1

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